"Why Johnny Can't Read" came out in 1955. The oldest boomer was ten.
I’m thinking it was on “Prager University” that has a facebook thing. They were talking about thinking positive or thinking negative. As you pointed out with that book “Why Johnny Can’t Read” from 1955, and as others have mentioned, the young are always ready to blame the old.
But - what if we were to look at some of the positives? Cell phones are a GREAT tool - my mom would always say “Oh - if only your dad had one of those in construction!” Medical breakthroughs, transportation, leisure time, etc.
And the article was saying how positive thinking leads to thinking of the future (and planning, growth, etc.) whereas the negative always seems to point backwards. (Boy - remember when you could buy a new car for $8,000!)